"I have a picture of the family dedicating a gravestone at the Braila cemetery. It must have been fairly large as there was a fairly large Jewish community with several Jewish Sephardim and Ashkenazim congregations. I think there was a letter in the ROM-SIG Newsletter a year or so ago." Source:
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[1/19/97]

BRAILA (I): Braila CountyThe cemetery is located at Str. Zambilelor no. 1, Braila, judet Braila at 4516 2759, 108.7 miles ENE of Bucharest and 120 km from Buzau. Current town population is over 100,000 with 100-1,000 Jews.

The Jewish population by census was 2623 in 1899 and was 6655 in 1930. In 1941, the Jews were deported to Caracal (Romania) and Transnistria. The cemetery was established in 19th century. Last known burial was May 2001. The unlandmarked Orthodox cemetery is 2 km from the congregation that used it.

The isolated urban flat land has Jewish symbols on wall or gate. Reached by a public road, access is open with permission. A masonry wall and a gate that locks surround the site. Approximate pre- and post-WWII size is 600 m x 400 m. More than 5,000 stones are visible. More than 5,000 are in original location. 20-100 stones are not in original location. More than 75% of the stones are toppled or broken. Location of stones removed from the cemetery is unknown. Vegetation overgrowth in the cemetery is not a problem. Water drainage is good all year.

No special sections. The oldest known gravestone dates from 19th century. The 19th and 20th century marble, granite, limestone, sandstone, slate and other (probably concrete) gravestones have Hebrew, Yiddish, German, Hungarian, and Romanian inscriptions. Some have traces of painting on their surfaces, iron decorations or letting, bronze decorations or lettering, and other metallic elements and portraits on stones, sculpted monuments, and multi-stone monuments. Some have iron decoration or lettering, bronze decoration or lettering, other than metallic elements, portraits on stones, and metal fences around graves. The cemetery has Holocaust memorial, and memorials to pogrom victims and Jewish soldiers. No known mass graves.

The local Jewish community owns the property used for Jewish cemetery only. Adjacent properties are residential. Frequently, organized Jewish group tours and private Jewish or non-Jewish individuals visit. The never vandalized cemetery Maintenance has been re-erection of stones, patching broken stones, and clearing vegetation. Current care is regular unpaid caretaker. Within the limits of the cemetery is a preburial house with a tahara, catafalque, and an ohel. No threats.

Lucian Nastasă, Clinicilor Str., no. 19, Cluj, Romania, tel. 064/190107. Email:
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visited the site and completed the survey on 15 May 2001.

The cemetery is located at Str. Al. I. Cuza no. 75, Braila. The cemetery was established in 19th century with last known burial in 19th century. The unlandmarked Orthodox cemetery is 0.5 km from the congregation that used it.

The isolated urban flat land has no sign or marker. Reached via private property,access is entirely closed. A fence with a no gate surrounds the site. Approximate pre- and post-WWII size is 50 m x 60 m. 1-20 stones are visible. 50%-75% of the stones are toppled or broken. Stones removed from the cemetery are in Braila, Str. Zambilelor 1 (other cemetery.) Vegetation overgrowth in the cemetery is not a problem. Water drainage is good all year.

The cemetery has special sections. The 19th century limestone and sandstone flat shaped gravestones, some with have portraits on stones have Hebrew inscriptions. The municipality owns the property used for Jewish cemetery only. Adjacent properties are residential. Compared to 1939, the cemetery boundaries enclose a smaller area due to a housing development. Rarely, local residents stop. The cemetery was vandalized during WWII. No maintenance. No care now. No structures. Weather erosion and pollution are moderate threats.

Lucian Nastasă, Clinicilor Str., no. 19, Cluj, Romania, tel. 064/190107. Email:
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visited the site and completed the survey on 15 May 2001.